I’ve seen vintage neckties around 2.5″ wide and 50″ long. These days the standard tie size is about 3.75″ wide and 58-60″ long. This “standard” size seems to have gotten wider and longer over the years. Consequently, I have always had a devilishly difficult time finding ready to wear ties shorter and narrower than the […]
Custom or made-to-measure neckties Read More »
Recently I posted identical AskAndy and LondonLounge threads concerning the rightful possession of the design or pattern of bespoke garments and apparel. Below is an excerpt of my post: Perusing the bespoke section on the Grenson website, I came across the notion that the last is the customer’s “personal property”. This raises some intriguing questions
Bespoke property rights: who owns the pattern / last? Read More »
In my web journeys, I have come across two other Viennese tailors: Malowan and Netousek. Malowan According to a 2003 Welt am Sonntag article, Malowan is described as being located on the Opernring and founded in 1823 by Maria Malowan, a shirtmaker whose detailed work was highly prized by ‘higher society’. In 1968 the business
More Viennese tailors: Malowan and Netousek Read More »
A week after I had posted my “definitive” (ahem) introduction to Knize below, I came across this excellent Welt am Sonntag article on former imperial luxury goods purveyors including Knize. Some fascinating tidbits from the article and elsewhere: Knize trivia Knize is pronounced “Knische” (apparently arising from the pronunciation of the family name Kníže in
Postscript to Knize Read More »
Despite living in the age of Google with ostensibly ubiquitous access to information, I have been often surprised by the lack of information regarding bespoke tailors – specifically, by the lack of a visual record on the cut and silhouette of the major tailoring houses that survive today in England, Italy, Austria and elsewhere. When
Viennese tailors: A definitive web introduction to Knize Read More »
Like death and taxes, pulled threads are inevitable and should be dealt with quickly and proficiently. This is especially important on woolens such as flannel. I had a pulled thread on a Brioni suit and was rather ignorant of the best way to proceed. Whatever you do, DO NOT cut the pulled thread loop. That
Practical tip: fixing a loose or pulled thread Read More »
A rather heated topic on AskAndy and StyleForum has led me to post this entry, which I also posted on the Ask Andy thread. The issue at hand: a tailor and his dissatisfied customer. What are some of the lessons learned on both sides of the sartorial aisle? If I were a customer, I would
Two sides of a coin: being and choosing a tailor Read More »
Since I live in LA, I’ve been meaning to post something apparel-related to LA. I came across this interesting post on men’s stores of yesteryear in Los Angeles. Here are my recommendations for visitors and denizens alike. For custom shirts, Anto’s Shirtmakers is acknowledged as the best in town. I haven’t tried them yet but
Men’s apparel in Los Angeles – yesterday & today Read More »
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